Road material spreading machine



April 13, 1937. N HELTZEL 2,076,890

ROAD MATERIAL SPREADING MACHINE Filed 001;. 25, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 April 13, 1937. N HELTZEL 2,076,890

April 13, 1937. A N HELTZEL 2,076,890

ROAD MATERIAL SPREADING MACHINE Filed 001;. 25, 1932 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 April 1937- J. N. HELTZEL 2,076,890

ROAD MATERIAL SPREADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 25, 1952 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jain 1Y- ffelel April 13, 1937. J. N. HELTZEL 2,075,890

ROAD MATERIAL SPREADING MACHINE Filed Oct. 25, 1952 Y 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 Q a m H. X

r l E A I a m WWW? w 4 1 3% 4 1 i @7072 1% He ZQeZ 3&3 I 2 a rw m Patented Apr. 13, 1937 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE aorascc ROAD MATERIAL srlmannve momma John N. Hcltzel, Warren, Ohio Application mm 25, 1932, Serial No. 639,475

11 Claims.

The present invention relates to improvements in road material spreading machine, and is a continuation in part of my prior application Serial No. 585,347, flled January 7, 1932.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved machine for use in the spreading and surfacing of concrete, bituminous or other roads in 20 With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention will be more fully described here inafter, and will be more particularly pointed out in the claims appended hereto.

In the drawings, wherein like symbols refer to like or corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the improved machine shown in connection with a roadway partially broken away and partially illustrated in 30 section.

Figure 1 is a vertical fragmentary section taken through the road and showing the operation of the cutter.

Figure 2 is a fragmentary perspective showing the screed and its mount Figure 3 is a similar view showing a modification.

Figure 4 shows a further modified form of this same construction.

Figure 5 is also a perspective view showing a further modified form of the parts associated with the screed.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary perspective view of the roadway and a modified form of machine.

Figure 7 is a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified form of skid.

Figure 8 is a similar view showing a further modified form of the skid.

Figure 9 shows a further modification of skid.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the method of rolling the side portion of the top surface.

Figure 11 is a similar view showing the method 55 of forming the center joint.

Figure 12 is also a fragmentary perspective view showing a modified form of screed.

Figure 13 represents a further modification of a combined joint and depressed traflic line.

Figure 14 illustrates the apparatus when operating on a road form, instead of on a road slab, and

Figure 15 is another illustration of machine and apparatus operating on a road form.

Referring more particularly to the drawings A represents a concrete road slab, which has been previously constructed, and has already hardened; and B designates a depression formed centrally in this slab. This depression may for example be two inches deep and approximately fifteen feet wide.

Bituminous material, usually called "black top" and indicated at C is filled into the depression 13. In some instances this material is deposited by trucks, and consists of a premixed hot material,

and at other times it may consist of a cold material. The machine is also applicable to spread and surface concrete, as well as bituminous material.

As shown in Figure 1, l5, designates the longitudinal members or beams of the framework and IS the transverse truss members which are bolted, riveted or otherwise secured to the longitudinal members I! and constitute a frame or bridge. Such frame is supported for movement upon the wheels H, such wheels having flanges l8, as shown to better advantage in Figure 2. The flanges roll on the edge of the slab A with such flanges i8 depending down into the depression B. In this way the machine is kept to its properpath and direction.

The frame carries a motor l9 having forward and rear shafts and 2! respectively. The shaft 20 rotates an eccentric 22 at the forward end of the machine, which eccentric is connected by a rod 23 with a screed 24. The forward screed 24 is mounted so that it may partake of a transversely reciprocating movement, and may also be capable of a vertical adjustment.

The end portions of the screed project over and may ride upon the shoulders of the slab A at the sides of the depression B. In a similar way at the rear of the machine is provided a screed 25 driven by an eccentric 26 and eccentric rod 21 from the rear drive shaft 2|. The rear screed 25 is mounted to allow of this reciprocating movement in a transverse direction. It is also permitted a vertical adjustment. The machine is so constructed that it will move both forwards and backwards and either one or the other screed 24 or 25 may be put in operation independently of the other through the use of clutches 28 and 29. Both screeds may be operated simultaneously if desired.

To the end portions of both screeds 24 and 25 are connected chains 35 wound upon rods 3|, which are rotatably mounted in appropriate parts of the framework and may be rotated by means of handles or levers 32 having clutch'arrangements 33 with the frame, whereby the screed may be held elevated after the chains 30 are wound upon the rods 3|. Of course, other arrangements may be utilized for this purpose.

The screeds are held down to position by weighted rollers 34 carried in arms 35 which are hinged as indicated at 35 to the framework of the machine.

At the front of the machine is a V-shaped spreader 31, such spreader being adjustably mounted and having its rear divergent ends pivoted in vertically movable blocks 38 susceptible of vertical adjustment by means of the screws 39 which engage the blocks and which are rotatable by the hand wheels 40. The screw shafts are threaded through appropriate parts of the machine, for instance through flanges 4| of the side or baflle plates 42. These baffle plates are provided with extension plates 43 slotted as indicated at 44 to receive bolts 45 for purposes of adjustment. In the plates 42 and 43 are provided openings 46 through which the ends of the screeds play.

The forward portion of the spreader 31 is carried by a rod 41 threaded at its upper end adjustably into a bracket 48 carried by the framework of the machine and carrying a hand wheel 49 for purposes of rotation and adjustment.

The V-shaped spreader is associated and preferably carries with it a cutter 50, which cutter is shown also in Figure 1*.

In operation, the machine is either propelled along by the motor I9 carried thereby, or may be moved by other means over the concrete road A which has been previously laid and in a hardened condition. The machine will travel a true path by reason of the flanges l8 of the wheels engaging the side walls of the slabs of the road. Material C is dumped within the depression B; and, as the machine advances, the 50 spreader 31 will deflect this material over the surface of the depression B and will distribute same uniformly. This material may be tamped down and screeded by the screed 24 which is reciprocated back and forth across the roadway as the machine moves forward. At the same time a joint groove E may be cut by means of the disc or other cutter 50. A final screeding action may be had by the rear screed 25, or in case this rear screed is not needed it may be raised by means of its chains 30.

Usually two courses C and D, as shown in Figure 2, of black top material are spread upon the roadway. In spreading the lower layer C the V-shaped spreader 31 may be lowered by means of the hand wheels and 49.

When the first course C, of material is spread and the machine is backed up, the spreader 31 may be raised up out of contact with this first layer C by manipulating the hand wheels 4|! and 49 until the spreader reaches an appropriate elevation for dealing with the second course D. The screeds 24 will surface and compact the material underlying the screeds and the side plates 42 act as battles to catch the material at the sides of the machine and to prevent same from spread ing over upon the concrete slabs A.

When the machine is moved backwards, the rear screed 25 is used for surfacing the road material. The old practice of using finishing machine has been to suspend the operation of the surfacing devices on the backward movement, but by use of the present type of machine the screeds 24 and 25 may both be used in either direction, particularly when screeding concrete.

Where the flanged wheel I1 is used, the auxiliary plates 43 may be in the raised position, but, as shown in Figure 3 these plates 43 may be let down by loosening the bolts 45, and they thereupon act as guides, whereby the wheels I'I may be plain, flat, or without flanges.

As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 6, the first course of material C is struck oil? below the top portion of the' slab A. This course C is thereupon rolled by a suitable heavy roller (not shown). After this course C has been rolled, a second or wearing course D is then evenly spread and surfaced by the reciprocating screed 24, or both such screeds. This second course D is carried to a proper or desired elevation preferably to a height above that of the top surface of the slab A. It is preferred that the top surface of the wearing course D will project substantially three-fourths of an inch above the top surface of the concrete slab A.

In Figure 2 the lower portions of the plates 43 act as abutments against which the upwardly projecting side edge of the wearing course D may engage and be formed. The plate 43 extends under the screed and rearwardly of the screed and suspended above the surface of slab A so there is no friction caused by the lower edge of the plate 43 by contacting the top surface of the slab A; the weight of the screed plate 43, etc. are supported by carriage frame. The plates 43 serve a similar purpose in Figure 3, although such plates extend down to a lower level and cause spacing of the wearing course D at its side edges away from the slab A.

As shown in Figure 4 the plates 43 may be provided with shoes or skids 5| consisting of substantially flat plates extending outwardly from the plates 43 and lying substantially horizontally and having up-turned ends 52.

The shoes 5| are in such position as to engage and rest upon portions of the slab A adjacent the depression. The plates 43 provide the necessary elevation or height to build the material D up to.

It will be understood that, when the machine advances forward, a certain amount of weight or pressure will devolve on the shoes 5|. Such shoes will slide on the top portion of the slab A while the screed 24 is reciprocating transversely through the openings in the side plates.

It may be desirable to relieve at least a portion of the friction of the shoe 5| on the top of the slab. To accomplish this I provide rollers 53, as shown in Figure 5, attached to the shoe. These rollers may be carried upon suitably long shafts 54 mounted in journal boxes 55 bolted or otherwise secured to the shoes 5|. The rollers 53 will extend out a desirable distance away from the shoes which carry them and preferably have flat peripheral surfaces to engage directly upon the upper surface of the concrete slab A. It will be understood that one or more rollers may be used if desired. 1

Referring more particularly to Figure 6, as heretofore, the plates 43' together with the skids I are secured to the finishing machine in such a manner as to provide flexibility in the bodily raising of the plates and skids out of contact with the roadway when the screed 24 is raised by the chains 20.

In accordance with Figure 6, a screw member 58 is provided having a hand wheel 5'! at its upper end and being threaded through a bracket 58 extending from the plate 42. At its lower end the screw 56 carries a roller 59 bearing upon the bottom portion of the screed 24. As many of these adjusting devices as desired may be provided, preferably one at each end of the screed. When it is desired to raise both the skid ill and the plate 43 out of contact withvthe roadway, the hand wheel 51 is first rotated to elevate the roller 59 and thereupon the chains 30 are wound up to lift the screed 24 out of contact with the concrete shoulders A. Opening 42 will permit of this elevating movement of the screed. The screed thus forms a support from the frame of the machine. The roller 59 may be urged downwardly against this fixed support by rotating the hand wheel 51 in the opposite direction. By continuing to rotate the hand wheel 51 the plate 42 and the skid 5| and plates 43* and 80 carried thereby may be elevated out of contact with the roadway A. It will be understood that this roller 59 may be used also to place pressure on the screed member 24 when such screed member is in the normal position resting upon the concrete shoulders A, as shown in Figure 6.

If desired, a separate gauge plate 60 may be provided, such gauge plate being adjustable through the same bolts 45 whereby the same may be let down to a position projecting below thetop surface of the slab A. These gauge plates provide guides at each side of the machine, and

they pilot the machine and retain it in position within the depression B. In this case the flanged wheels are not necessary, but flat wheels, such asshown at H in, Figure 3, can be utilized. Of course the gauge plates 60 may be lifted so that this overlapping relation is not had. The side plates 42, 43 and 60 project forwardly of the screed 24 to such an extent as to provide a baffle or a barrier to the material which piles up in front of the screed; and such bailles prevent the material from overflowing onto the adjacent slabs A.

With further reference to Figure 6. 6| represents bracing to support the plate 42 in vertical position and to hold the same in a suspended position, if so desired, with respect to the frame or carriage. A part of the truss frame of the carriage is indicated at IS. The plate 42 is arranged for lateral adjustment by means of slots 62 and 63 made in the flanges of the brace 6|. The slots 62 are adjustably engaged with bolts 64 passing through the flange 4|; while the other slots 63 in the vertical web are engaged with bolts 65 in wing or gusset plates 66; ISA is provided for vertical adjustment by slots IGB.

The gusset plates 66 are affixed to the plate 42. The plates 42 and 66 are permitted lateral adjustment by loosening the bolts 64 and 65 which bolts have considerable lateral play in the slots 62 and 63. It will be understood that the gusset plates 66 are so arranged as to support the plates 42 against displacement due to the lateral thrust of the screed 24. Vertical adjustment is arranged for to permit the lifting and lowering of the plate 42 by means of the vertically elongated slots 61 in the hanger members,

68 which are supported from the trusses i6.

48 in the plate Bolts II engaged in slots III of the bracing ii are also engaged in the slots 81. The slots 10 provide for lateral adjustment and the slots 61 for vertical adjustment. Consequently the plates 42 are subject to both lateral and vertical adjustment and such plates and the parts carried thereby may be raised vertically out of contact with the road surface.

In order to prevent pebbles and other foreign matter from entering under the skids or slides St, I provide a scraper member consisting of a scraper blade 'II and a U-shaped or other reinforcing holder 12. The scraper may consist of suitable material, such as pieces of belting backed by the steel plate 12. The scraper may be held by a claw or a suitable support 13 having a hinging connection with the skid 5! or other part whereby the scraper may be lifted up out of the way when desired.

The scraper will sweep any material, such as indicated at 14, oil the slab or out of the path of the skid 5|.

When the plate 60 in Figure 6, and the plate 43 in Figure 3 is adjusted down below the concrete shoulder A, a void or groove is necessarilyformed between theshoulder A and the interior layer D of the road material; but when the parts are as shown in Figure 7, then there is no overlap of any part below the shoulder A and the inside surface of the skid is directly over the side wall of the depression. Therefore, the surfaced material Dis built up perfectly square as indicated at F, abutting against the side wall of the shoulder A and extending up slightly above the shoulder if need be. In this case the void is eliminated.

In this Figure '7 wearing shoes 15 are provided on the bottom of the skid. These shoes will be small and can be readily replaced. They will prevent excessive wear of the skid member 5|. Another important function of these wearing shoes isthat in case of a high spot on the road surface. such as indicated at G, the shoes provide a certain amount of elevation to the skid 5| so that it may span over the high places G.

Therefore, while the material is being surfaced by the screed, the device produces a more even surface and will not produce high points on the surface material. Such high points would ordinarily be the case if the skid was in contact with the high point G. These skids 5| may be made of suitable length so as to minimize the tendency to create high spots on the surface of the material D as reflecting from high spots on the surface of the shoulder as indicated at G.

Horizontally adjustable strips or plates 16 are carried by the plate 42 to provide for adjustability in the lateral or horizontal dimension of the plate opening inorder to accommodate screeds of different widths and to enable the plates 16 to be moved up forming guides for the screed and closing the opening to prevent material passing through.

Referring more particularly to Figure 8, the surfacing member or screed 24 reciprocates transversely of the roadway and operates on a trailing form or skid 5| The screed is provided with deflector or baflle plates 243 at each end to confine the material and prevent particles from flowing over the trailing form 5|". This trailing form is of suitable length and suitable cross section. In this particular case there is illustrated an angle section trailed along by the chain member l1. which is attached to arm 18 projecting forwardly of the frame of the machine.

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At 18 is indicated a knee brace which connects to the frame of the carriage, such frame being indicated at i8. The skid member or trailing form is arranged for vertical or up and down reciprocation by the spring members 88 and 8| so that when the weight of the screed 24 rests on the skid ii, the latter will be depressed into the position as shown. When the weight of the screed 28 is relieved from the skid member Bi the latter member will automatically raise from the surface of the road by the lifting force of the springs 88 and 8|. A spring member 82 is connected between the rear end portion of the skid and the arm, 18 for the purpose of holding the flange 88 of the skid against the side wall of the concrete shoulder A, or in other words against the face of the curb, so that the material indicated at H, which is to be surfaced, will not become lodged between the skid member 5| and the face of the curb, which face is indicated at I.

It will be understood that the depending flange 88 of the skid Bi may be eliminated and a flat bar skid may be used. Such flat skid would be positioned securely in place so as to prevent lateral movement of the bar due to the friction of the reciprocating screed 24, to accomplish this rigid members would be used, instead of spring members 8| and 82.

The forward end portion of the skid may be curled upwardly to facilitate sliding along the concrete surface and the rear end of the skid may be offset upwardly to lie above the frame member 16' and above the coil spring 88, which is disposed between the rear end of the skid and a slotted portion 84 of the frame member, which slotted portion admits of the lateral adjustability of the skid.

Referring to Figure 9, a modified form of skid is shown in which the skid consists of a flat bar ."ii without the flange. In this instance the means for maintaining the skid to alinement and against lateral displacement is by amxing the same to the frame member li as by the use of a bolt 85, in slotted hole for lateral adjustment.

Referring more particularly to Figure 10, there is here illustrated a section of a road consisting of the base A and the curbportions A. The base portion between the curbs is constructed with a longitudinal center joint, as indicated at 86, which will control the longitudinal cracking of the base, as represented at 81.

After the first course 88 of black top" or the like has been placed and rolled, the second course of black top, or the wearing top, as indicated at 88, is then placed and surfaced by the machine heretofore described. I

In order to provide an adequate amount of material along the inside face of the curb A, the material is screeded in such a manner that it will allow a surplus of material, as indicated at 88, to accumulate adjacent the curbs A. A roller 8| is employed to roll down this surplus material 80 whereby such material will completely fill the void 82. As shown behind the roller 8|, the course 88 will become level with the top of the curb A. After the top course 88 has been rolled and completed, a specially designed grooved roller, shown in Figure 11, and indicated at 83, having arms or other means 84 by which it may be attached to the roller 8|, may be moved along a line paralleling, and directly over the groove 88. The cutter 83 will cut a groove 85 in the upper wearing course 88. Consequently a sympathetic crack will develop from the bottom groove 88 and project up to the top groove 85. This will prevent irregular or ragged cracking, as indicated in Figure 10.

Referring more particularly to Figure 12, a screed 24 is here shown arranged and constructed for building the surface material 88 to a point above the top surface of the slab A. This is done by securing to the under part of the screed, as by the bolts 81, or other appropriate means, a shoe 88. This shoe 88 will elevate the bottom surface of the screed the desired distance above the top of the slab or curb A. A roller 88A is adjustably secured to ends of the screed to release friction on plate 88.

The screed is reciprocated back and forth in the direction of its length by means of an eccentric arm 88. When the screed moves in the direction toward the left, as shown in Figure 12, the shoe 88 will come into contact with the material 86 and build up the material along the edge of the slab as indicated at I00.

It will be appreciated that the machine provides improved screeding facilities whereby, when operating downgrade, it will be possible to screed the material against the grade on the backward movement of the machine. Concrete slumps downgrade to a considerable extent. With the old method of screed-finishing machine, when going upgrade, the screed would buck the material against the direction of flow of the concrete downgrade. Therefore, the old method was ideal for screeding upgrade. The old method provided for screeding in only one direction, however, and when moving over the hill top and operating downgrade on the opposite side of the hill, the screed worked in the same direction as the slumping of the concrete so that the screeded concrete, which was screeded upgrade on one side of the hill and downgrade on the opposite side, could not be of a consistent homogeneous structure, tests have disclosed that concrete screeded back and forth is of higher strength and when steel reinforcing is used back screeding produces a denser structure.

Figure 13 represents a roller 81A to form a groove 85A in the black top, or bituminous material and at'the same time form a slight depression 8513 approximately to 4;" in depth and approximately 4" in width. This depression will define the width of a colored traflic line material 85C, which may consist of a heavy white paint or other suitable material to be applied to the surface within the depression. It will be understood that this white traffic line material, which as stated before may consist of the regular trafllc line paint, will be protected more or less from abrasion by traillc by being located slightly below the top surface of the road as indicated at 85C. The roller member 8IA will be attached to a suitable power driven implement and the grooving member 8|B will cut the joint 85A in-the road material and the roller portions 8|C will simultaneously roll the depression into the material and the portions 8ID will serve to limit the depth of the depression.

Figure 14 represents a modified method of surfacing a black-top material when the machine and apparatus is used in connection with steel road forms l0I-that is, the machine will operate on the road form, instead of on a previously constructed road. It will be understood that 24 represents the transversely reciprocating screed, which operates through the opening in the baffle plate 42, which may be suspended from the carriage of the machine as described in Figure 2 or it may be provided with a skid portion 52, which may ride on the top tread of the rail as illustrated in Figure 4.

Figure 15 represents another modification of the apparatus operating on the road form Ifll, wherein 24 representsthe transversely reciprocating screed and the longitudinal travelling form or skid SIC, which is trailed by the chain H, which is attached to the movable carriage, and by this method the form is dragged simultaneous- 1y with the forward movement of the carriage with the reciprocating screed 24 operating on the road material substantially as described in Figure 8. i

The present invention provides for uniformity and consistency in the structure of the concrete road and insures its homogeneousness whether it be upon one side or the other of a hill.

It is obvious that various changes and modifications may be made in the details of construction and design of the above specifically described embodiment of this invention without departing from the spirit thereof, such changes and modifications being restricted only by the scope of the following claims:

What is claimed is:-

1. A road building. machine comprising a wheeled carriage to move over a road under construction, a reciprocating screed carried forwardly of the carriage, and a member supported from 3 the carriage to underlie the screed to define the height of the top surface of the screeded material with relation to the surface of a road slab previously constructed, and means to raise and lower the screed independent of said member.

2. 'A road building machine comprising a movable frame, baifle plates carried forwardly of the frame and at the side portions thereof, said baffle plates having openings therethrough, a transversely reciprocating screed carried by the frame 40 and having movement through the openings of the baine plates, and a spreader extending forwardly of the screed and having its end portions terminating adjacent said baflie plates.

3. A road building machine comprising a frame having movement over a roadway, baiiie plates supported by the frame, gauge plates adjustable with relation to said baflie plates, and spreader means carried forwardly of the machine and having side portions adjacent said baflle plates.

4. A road building machine comprising a movable frame, baflie plates carried by the frame at the side portions of a roadway to be constructed, skids associated with said baffle plates and being adjustable vertically with respect to the baiiie plates, and spreader means carried forwardly of the machine with its end portions terminating adjacent said baflle plates.

5. A road building machine comprising a mov able frame, bailie plates adjustably carried by the 50 frame at the sideportions of the roadway to be constructed, skids carried adjustably and outwardly of said baiiie plates, and spreader means carried forwardly of the baflle plates with its sides terminating adjacent the baffle plates. u 6. A road building machine comprising a movable frame, baflie plates adjustably carried by said frame at the side portions of the road, gauge plates adjustable vertically from the baflle plates, skids carried outwardly of said baiiie plates and having a vertical adjustment with respect thereto,-a transversely reciprocating screed having end portions, lying through and beyond said baflie platesand spreader means carried forwardly of the screed with end portions terminating adjacent said baflie plates.

7. A road building machine comprising a frame, a skid drawn along by the frame and having a flange to fit a concrete shoulder, yieldable means for drawing the flange against the shoulder, yieldable means for tending to lift the skid, and a movable screed lying on the skid and holding same down.

8. A road building machine comprising a movable frame, baflie plates carried thereby, a screed having its end portions resting upon concrete shoulders outwardly of the baffle plates, and adjustable rollers supported from said bafiie plates and engaging the base of the screed for exerting pressure on the screed and also acting to elevate said baflie plates.

9. A road building machine comprising a carriage having supporting means to move back and forth over a road under construction, spreader means at the forward portion of the carriage for deflecting the road material toward the sides of the carriage, baflie plates rearwardly of said spreader means and outwardly beyond said spreader means to catch the material therefrom, and a screed resting on said bafiie plates and reciprocable therethrough.

10. A road building machine comprising a carriage having supporting means to move back and forth over a road under construction, spreader means at the forward portion of the carriage for deflecting the road material toward the sides of the carriage, baiiie plates rearwardly of said spreader means and outwardly beyond said spreader means to catch the material therefrom,

and a screed resting on said baflle plates and rethe ends of such spreading means, said plates being adjustable up and down with respect to said frame and fitting just within the shoulder to act as gauges for forming the carpeting and subjacent layers, said plates having lateral openings therethrough with supporting lower edges, and a.

screed reciprocating through the openings and adjustably supported on said edges.

JOHN N. HEL'I'ZEL. 

